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BOILING SPRINGS – Collin Thacker's RBI double in the 11th inning delivered Gardner-Webb its second walk-off win in a row, a 9-8 thriller over Iona Sunday afternoon.

The Runnin' Bulldogs (8-0) finished the month of February unbeaten and have won nine games in a row dating back to last season. It was the second walk-off win in a row following Saturday's 10-inning win over the Gaels (0-4).

The 8-0 start is also the best for Gardner-Webb in the Division I era, which started with the 2001 season.

Iona wasted little time seizing control of the game, rapping out three hits in the top of the first to plate a pair of runs. Fran Kinsey started things and Matt Byrne followed with his own single. A two-out knock by Travis Mistretta drove both home before Gardner-Webb starter Bradley Hallman could work out of the jam.

The singles continued in the second inning, with three consecutive, one-out singles off the bats of Joseph Lovecchio, Tyler Bruno and Kinsey. Two of those hits were infield safeties back to the pitcher that Gaels' runners legged out. Kinsey's infield hit scored Lovecchio for a 3-0 lead – and Byrne followed with his second hit to load the bases.

Sean Breen singled back to the pitcher for a 4-0 lead and Mistretta pushed the lead to 5-0 with an RBI groundout. Hallman got a good defensive play on a line drive by third baseman Matt Simmons to prevent further damage and end the inning.

After Hallman pitched out of trouble in the third inning, stranding three Iona runners, Gardner-Webb got a run back in the bottom half. Blair Huggins walked to lead off the frame and Taylor Fisher singled to follow. Tyler Best singled to load the bases, but Iona starter Patrick Ryan rolled a double play ball – although Huggins was able to race home to trim the lead to 5-1. A fly ball to center ended the inning, but Gardner-Webb would catch up.

Hallman settled down to keep GWU in the game, and the 'Dogs struck for a big inning in the fifth to tie the score.

Eric Jones singled up the middle to start and Huggins drew his second walk of the game. A sacrifice bunt moved both into scoring position and Best roped a two-run double to left to cut the lead to 5-3. A wild pitch moved Best to third base and he scored on Paul Trick's sacrifice fly to trim the lead to one. Danny Sullivan coaxed a two-out walk and Thacker belted his first RBI double of the day – to the warning track in right – to score Sullivan all the way from first for a tie score. Thacker moved to third himself on a wild pitch, but was stranded.

Iona took the lead back quickly, as Kinsey was hit by a 1-1 fastball to lead off the sixth. A sacrifice bunt moved the Gaels' leadoff man into scoring position and Breen singled him home for a 6-5 advantage – chasing Hallman from the game.

The Gaels added insurance runs in the seventh and eighth innings to take an 8-5 lead, but Gardner-Webb would rally again in the late innings.

Thacker singled with one out in the eighth and Patrick Graham followed with a pinch hit single to bring the tying run to the plate. After a ground ball moved Thacker and pinch runner Chris Clary into scoring position, Jones came through with a two-run single up the middle to quickly cut the lead to 8-7. Iona reliever Kyle Ackley came on to stem the tide, throwing just one pitch to get out of the inning.

Gardner-Webb tied the game for good in the ninth, when Taylor Fisher led off with a clutch single. Fisher stole second, then moved to third following a fly ball to deep right. With two outs on the board, Sullivan delivered, legging out an infield single to drive home Fisher and tie the game. Gaels' closer Alex Fishberg struck out the next batter to send the game into extra innings for the second time in less than 24 hours.

GWU had a chance to win the game in the 10th, but a squeeze bunt play went awry with one out and pinch runner Mason Fox was caught stealing to dampen the brief rally. After a quick top of the 11th, however, the stage was set for Thacker's heroics.

Best roped a one-out single to center, then stole second. An intentional walk and pop fly threatened to send the game into the 12th, but Thacker hammered an 0-1 slider off the base of the fence in right for the game winner.

Freshman reliever Jarrett Thompson (1-0) continued his solid work out of the bullpen, hurling 3.2 scoreless frames for the win. Hallman was touched for 11 singles – five of the infield variety – and allowed six runs in a no decision start.

The 'Dogs managed a season-best 16 hits, with Thacker (4-for-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI), Jones (3-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI) and Best (3-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI) leading the charge. Fisher (2-for-5, SB, run) also had a pair of hits. Huggins scored two runs on the day.

Iona reliever Jake Kurz (0-1) took the loss, allowing two hits and a run in 0.2 innings of work out of the pen. Ryan went 4.2 innings in a no decision start, allowing five runs on eight hits with three walks and three strikeouts.

The Gaels were much better at the plate Sunday, striking out only once after fanning 33 times in the series' first three games. Iona collected 17 hits, with Kinsey (2-for-5), Byrne (3-for-5), Breen (2-for-5, 2 RBI), Mistretta (2-for-4), Vinny DeMaria (2-for-6, 2B) and Bruno (2-for-4, RBI) each finishing with multiple knocks.

Gardner-Webb will hit the road on Wednesday, traveling to face North Carolina A&T in Greensboro's historic War Memorial Stadium. First pitch is set for 3:00 pm.

The Runnin' Bulldogs return home next Friday, beginning a four-game set with Rider at 4:00 pm.